The first thought

He was awake. And that's been for a while. But his body didn't move. The betrayal of Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa and Blueno still gnawed at him badly. That burden was just ... overwhelming.

"I really thought we were friends-" "You alone believed that."

His hands clenched into fists. Gradually his strength, his[i]anger,returned and pushed the grief away.
Paulie swayed to his feet and looked around. He had heard Iceburg's voice, so thank God he was still alive.

"Chopper! Wake up Chopper! Robin didn't cheat on us! Do you hear?"
The words echoed in his head. His brain was already playing a trick on him, fooling him into thinking that this shameless girl hadn't said Nico Robin, but Lucci. That Lucci and the others would not have betrayed him and Iceburg.

"Paulie-san! Are you all right ?! We're still looking for Kaku-san and Lucci-san!"

His gaze focused on Iceburg. He looked back.

"That won't be necessary. Lucci and Kaku are back home. They are not coming back."
Questioning glances fell on him, but Paulie ignored them. Absently he drew on his cigar.

"Went home, huh?"
"It's enough if we suffer like this," Paulie replied after the Galley-La workers had turned their attention back to the burning house.

"But couldn't you come up with a better excuse?"
Indignantly Paulie let out a cloud of smoke and looked at his boss. Before he could answer, however, he raised his voice again: "Nma ~, all right. I'm just glad thatyouweren't one of the traitors."

There was a brief silence between them. Neither Iceburg nor Paulie really noticed the roar of the flames and the shouts of the workers.

"After Lucci took off the mask ... Nma ~,I would rather die than have to see your face underneathwas my first thought."FIN